When asked “What is there in Greece?” the usual response is “Everything!” People come here for the magnificent beach holidays, picturesque landscapes, delicious food, friendly company, high-quality service, and, of course, the country’s main attractions.
What is there to see in Greece for lovers of ancient history? What to see in Greece? In the Astons Greece blog, we talk about the most famous landmarks of Hellas.
Athens
The capital of Greece, Athens, is the largest city in the country, home to more than 30% of the entire Greek population. In addition to being the administrative, economic, and political center of the country, Athens is rich with cultural and architectural monuments that are Greece’s calling cards. Everything Greece is famous for can be found here.
Acropolis
The Acropolis in Athens is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Greece and a must-visit site for every tourist. This open-air museum houses several ancient temples with over 2,000 years of history. Visitors will find the Parthenon, the Temples of Athena Nike and Asclepius, the sanctuaries of Zeus, Artemis, and Persephone, the Theatre of Dionysus—the world’s oldest theatre—and many other ancient structures that have survived to this day. The complex impresses with its size and beauty: from 150 meters high, it offers a magnificent view of the Greek capital.
Panathenaic Stadium
The stadium, built in 329 BC, was discovered during excavations and restored in the 19th century. In 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held here, initiated by IOC President Pierre de Coubertin. Today, the Panathenaic Stadium, the only stadium in the world entirely built of white Pentelic marble, can accommodate over 80,000 visitors.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Dedicated to the chief deity of Ancient Greece, the Temple of Olympian Zeus took over 650 years to build and was the largest such structure in the country. The temple was repeatedly looted during invasions by ancient Germanic tribes, and 300 years after its completion, it was severely damaged by an earthquake. After the rise of Christianity and the ban on paganism, the Temple of Zeus was abandoned and never restored. Today, only the corner part with 14 columns remains, but it still makes a striking impression. Parts of the temple were used in the construction of the defensive wall extending from Athens to Piraeus.
Delphi
Modern Delphi is a small town in Phocis, located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, with a population of about 1,000 people. Ancient Delphi is located slightly west of the new town. The Greeks considered Delphi the center of the world, where the omphalos, a stone monument called the “navel of the Earth,” was located. Today, Ancient Delphi is part of the Parnassus National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Temple of Apollo
The ruins of the Temple of Apollo date back to the 4th century BC. According to legend, this is where Apollo defeated the Python, where the Delphic Oracle resided, and where delegations from all over Greece came bearing rich gifts. King Croesus of Lydia and Alexander the Great consulted the Pythia for prophecies. Today, the site of the temple retains the omphalos, or “navel of the Earth,” the sanctuary of Poseidon, statues of Apollo, Zeus, and two Moirai—the Greek goddesses of fate.
Delphic Theatre
The Delphic Theatre is an extension of the Temple of Apollo, located nearby. Since the Pythian Games, dedicated to Apollo’s victory over the Python, were held at the Sanctuary of Apollo, the theatre was used not only for performances but also for singing and musical competitions. The theatre could accommodate about 5,000 spectators, and today, visitors can immerse themselves in ancient history and enjoy the stunning views from the slopes of Parnassus.
Crete
Crete, one of the five largest islands in the Mediterranean, is the largest Greek island, with an area of over 8.2 thousand square kilometers. This is where the first European civilization—the Minoan—originated. Crete is considered one of Greece’s best resorts and is very popular with tourists from all over the world.
Knossos Palace
Knossos Palace is rightly considered the hallmark and symbol of Crete. It is one of the oldest monuments of the Minoan civilization, with the first structures dating back to 2000 BC. In the 1600s BC, a new palace with hundreds of halls, rooms, and various premises was built on the site of a building destroyed by an earthquake. Knossos Palace is associated with the legend of the Minotaur: the famous labyrinth where the mythical half-bull, half-man was imprisoned was located near the palace, belonging to King Minos, or was part of the palace itself. Visitors will find the famous red columns, ancient frescoes and paintings, stone staircases, and much more.
Venetian Harbor
A small harbor for 40 galleys in Chania was built by the Venetians in the 14th century. Despite the nearby port of Heraklion, the Venetian Harbor was actively used. Over the centuries, the harbor was rebuilt, cleared, and deepened. In the 17th century, under Turkish rule, the Firka fortress and a mosque were built, and 200 years later, Egyptian builders erected a lighthouse. Today, the Venetian Harbor is one of the main attractions in Crete: visitors come to stroll along the promenade, admire ancient buildings and picturesque views, visit restaurants, bars, and cafes, or take a boat trip.
Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is one of the longest hiking routes in Europe and the second most popular place in Crete after Knossos Palace. The route, over 18 km long, includes wooden bridges, narrow crossings, descents and ascents, magnificent views, and untouched nature. The National Park features the Church of St. Nicholas, built on the ruins of an ancient sanctuary, the abandoned village of Samaria, which gave its name to the area, and the “Iron Gates”—the narrowest point on the route.
Elafonisi Beach
Crete is famous for its beach holidays, and one of the most unusual places to visit is Elafonisi Beach. Getting there is quite challenging—the beach is located on the island’s west coast, far from tourist routes and major cities, so it’s worth dedicating a whole day for the trip. Despite the difficulties—a bus tour takes at least 4.5 hours one way—it’s worth visiting at least once. The sand at Elafonisi is pink, the water is crystal clear bright turquoise, and the sea is shallow, warm, and calm.
Rhodes
Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea and the fourth largest Greek island. The historic part of its namesake capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue dedicated to the ancient sun god Helios, was located here.
Rhodes Fortress
The medieval fortress, built by the Knights Hospitaller to protect the island and as a residence for the Grand Master of the Order of Rhodes, is not only a calling card of Rhodes but also the longest fortress in Europe. The fortress was repeatedly attacked and stormed. Thanks to its monumentality and constant work on strengthening the walls, the fortress resisted the Turkish invasion 70 years longer than Constantinople, withstanding several sieges, earthquakes, and storms. Today, the Rhodes Fortress, along with part of the Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lindos Acropolis
Lindos is an ancient city with a history spanning over 3,000 years. The Lindos Acropolis, second only to the Athenian Acropolis, combines several eras: ancient buildings of the 6th-5th centuries BC, sanctuaries and temples of ancient gods, medieval fortresses, 13th-century Orthodox churches, residential and utility buildings from various periods. The Acropolis was part of the fortifications protecting the island along with the Rhodes Fortress.
Valley of the Butterflies
The Valley of the Butterflies is one of the most beautiful and unusual places in Greece, a nature reserve located next to a gorge. Every year, thousands of tourists come here to enjoy the nature, visit the 17th-century monastery, make a wish on an ancient bench, and see countless butterflies that have chosen the reserve for their mating season.
Greece: What Other Attractions are Worth Visiting?
Meteora Monasteries, Kalambaka
Meteora are unique stone pillars rising up to 600 meters above sea level. Ancient monasteries are located on the tops of these rocks. This place is one of the largest pilgrimage centers in Greece and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ancient City of Mystras, Sparta
Mystras is a fortress built in the 13th century on the top of a hill near Sparta. The fortress, the city, and its surroundings, abandoned by residents in the late 19th century, are now an open-air museum.
Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion
Cape Sounion is the southernmost point of Attica. According to legend, this is where King Aegeus, seeing a ship with black sails returning from Crete after the victory over the Minotaur, threw himself into the sea, which now bears his name — the Aegean. Visitors come here not only to relax on the beautiful beaches but also to visit the Temple of Poseidon. The colossal size of the temple, built in the 5th century on the ruins of Poseidon’s sanctuary, can be judged by the 16 majestic columns crowning the cape.
Summary
Greece is a country with an ancient history and a rich heritage that has had a tremendous impact on the development of most world cultures. Exploring Greek attractions and historical monuments is an endless endeavor, each time discovering something new and informative. It is a wonderful place for relaxation and travel. Many tourists dream of staying in Greece forever. To have the opportunity to come to the country at any time and live here legally, you can apply for a Greek residence permit by investing in real estate. Currently, the minimum entry threshold is €250,000 (€500,000 for the largest 36 municipalities in the country).
From September 1, 2024, the program will undergo significant changes: the minimum property value will increase to €800,000 in major regions of Greece and to €400,000 in all other areas.
The Greek “Golden Visa” does not impose residency requirements before or after obtaining the visa, but it grants its holder a wide range of personal opportunities and freedoms:
- Visa-free travel to Schengen countries;
- The ability to bring family — spouse, children;
- Access to the international banking system, the ability to unfreeze assets;
- Access to European education;
- Access to quality healthcare;
- High standard of living;
- The ability to rent out the property or use it for personal residence, such as a summer home;
- The prospect of obtaining European citizenship;
- A reliable backup option in case of new economic and political upheavals.
A residence permit can be obtained in 3-6 months for 5 years with the possibility of renewal. You can obtain resident status with minimal participation from the investor — you only need to visit the country once to submit biometric data.
Astons has been successfully working in the investment immigration and luxury foreign real estate sector for over 30 years. Contact our experts for a free consultation — we will help you choose suitable real estate in Greece and handle all the paperwork.